Avoid losing digital assets to fake "Wallet Guard" websites

What is the fake "Wallet Guard" website?

While browsing suspect websites, our researchers discovered this fake "Wallet Guard" page (walletguard-a6b.pages[.]dev; could be hosted elsewhere). It is disguised as a free tool for detecting various crypto-centered scams, including drainers.

Instead of providing these services, the bogus webpage operates as a cryptocurrency drainer. In other words, it facilitates the theft of digital assets from compromised wallets. It must be emphasized that the fake "Wallet Guard" is not associated with any existing software, services, or entities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not review crypto projects, please do your own research when investing money.

Federal Trade Comission (FTC) states that since the start of 2021, more than 46,000 people have reported losing over $1 billion in crypto to scams – that's about one out of every four dollars reported lost, more than any other payment method.

Fake "Wallet Guard" website overview

The "Wallet Guard" scam, as endorsed on walletguard-a6b.pages[.]dev (note that it could be hosted on different domains as well), promotes a tool that can detect crypto drainers and other cryptocurrency-targeting scams. Upon inspection, we determined that this page is a drainer.

It must be reiterated that this "Wallet Guard" website does not provide the services it advertises, nor is it associated with any existing software or entities.

Once a victim "connects" their digital wallet to the scam, it executes a cryptocurrency-draining mechanism. Basically, victims' funds are transferred to scammer-owned wallets. These transactions are automated and may appear vague, thus remaining unnoticed for a long time. Drainers may also be capable of approximating the value of digital assets and prioritizing their theft.

It must be mentioned that due to the nearly untraceable nature of cryptocurrency transactions – they cannot be reversed. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Wallet Guard" website cannot recover their funds.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Wallet Guard" crypto drainer
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud, Cryptocurrency Drainer
Disguise	Site endorsing a tool for detecting crypto drainers and other cryptocurrency-targeting scams.
Related Domains	walletguard-a6b.pages[.]dev
Detection Names	Combo Cleaner (Malware), Fortinet (Phishing), G-Data (Malware), Google Safebrowsing (Phishing), Trustwave (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	172.66.45.16
Distribution methods	Compromised websites, social media spam, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Monetary loss
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Cryptocurrency drainer scam examples

We have examined countless crypto-specific scams; "GetFit Mining", "Smart Node Chain", "BLAST GARDEN", "Claim $REZ", and "$CATE Airdrop" are just some of our latest articles on drainers.

Cryptocurrency-targeting schemes function in one of three primary ways – using draining mechanisms to steal funds from exposed wallets, phishing for wallet log-in credentials, and tricking users into manually transferring funds to scammer-owned wallets.

However, the Internet is full of various scams. While they operate differently, their end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense. Due to how widespread online scams are and how well-made they can be – we strongly advise vigilance when browsing and investing.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed via spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, etc.), malvertising (intrusive advertisements), sites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

Crypto drainers are often promoted through intrusive pop-up ads (malvertising). Some of these adverts are fully functional drainers themselves; they entice victims into "linking" their wallets by promising various benefits. Pop-ups of this kind have been encountered on legitimate sites that had been hacked.

Cryptocurrency-centered schemes are also promoted via social media spam. Promotional posts and private/direct messages can be made using accounts stolen from real projects, companies, organizations, celebrities, influencers, etc.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We highly recommend exercising caution when browsing. Therefore, be wary of advertisements and other online content making offers that sound too good to be true. Pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Do not enable suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or deny these requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Do not use websites offering pirated programs/media or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically utilize rogue advertising networks. Treat incoming emails and other messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links present in suspect mail.

Download from official/verified sources and approach installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software from infiltrating the system.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Appearance of the fake "Wallet Guard" website (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "Wallet Guard" crypto drainer?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an online scam?

Essentially, online scams are deceptive content aiming to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, users can be deceived into connecting digital wallets to crypto drainers, sending money to scammers, disclosing vulnerable information, downloading/installing software, buying products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of online scams?

Online scams aim to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, promoting websites/software, abusing/selling private data, and spreading malware.

I have lost digital assets to the "Wallet Guard" scam, can I get my money back?

These transactions cannot be reversed because of their nearly untraceable nature. Therefore, victims of scams like this fake "Wallet Guard" website cannot get their funds back.

Why do I encounter online scams?

Online scams are mainly promoted via malvertising (intrusive ads), websites employing rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from online scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious pages. Hence, should you happen upon such a webpage – you will be warned immediately, and further access to it will be blocked.

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